Quick Read
- President Donald Trump joked about inviting the U.S. women’s hockey team to avoid impeachment during a call with the men’s team.
- Olympic gold medalist Hilary Knight called Trump’s comment a “distasteful joke” overshadowing women’s achievements.
- Members of the U.S. men’s team, including Jeremy Swayman and Jack Hughes, acknowledged the controversy and reaffirmed support for the women’s team.
- The U.S. women’s hockey team declined an invitation to the State of the Union due to “logistics and scheduling concerns.”
- Knight stressed the importance of respectful discourse about women in sports and industry, asserting their achievements should not be overshadowed.
WASHINGTON (Azat TV) – President Donald Trump’s recent comments regarding the U.S. women’s national hockey team have ignited a firestorm of controversy, drawing sharp criticism for what Olympic gold medalist Hilary Knight described as a “distasteful joke.” The remarks, made during a congratulatory call with the men’s gold-medal-winning team, have shifted focus from athletic achievements to a broader discussion on gender equality in sports and political discourse.
The incident unfolded during the American men’s team’s locker room celebration following their victory at the Milan Games. President Trump extended an invitation to the men’s players to visit Washington for the State of the Union address. He then added, with a laugh, that he “must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” joking that if he didn’t, he “do believe I probably would be impeached.” A video of the exchange, which showed several men’s team players laughing, quickly went viral, sparking widespread outrage on social media and beyond.
Hilary Knight Calls Trump’s Comment “Distasteful Joke”
Hilary Knight, a veteran forward and the most decorated player in U.S. women’s hockey history, quickly responded to the President’s comments. Speaking on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” on Wednesday, Knight stated, “I thought it was sort of a distasteful joke, and unfortunately that is overshadowing a lot of the success, the success of just women at the Olympics carrying for Team USA and having amazing gold medal feats.” Knight, who scored a crucial tying goal in the women’s gold medal game against Canada, emphasized that the team was focused on celebrating their historic achievements, including their third Olympic gold medal in program history and the unprecedented double gold for both U.S. men’s and women’s teams.
Knight, who concluded her illustrious Olympic career at the Milan Games with a second gold medal, reiterated her commitment to her teammates’ accomplishments. “We’re just focusing on celebrating the women in our room, the extraordinary efforts, and continue to celebrate three gold medals in program history as well as the double gold for both men’s and women’s at the same time. And really not detract from that with a distasteful joke.” She later expressed looking forward to “celebrating all great things that have come out of the Olympics and feeling the love and support.”
Men’s Team Addresses Reactions to Trump’s Remarks
The initial laughter from some members of the men’s team also drew significant backlash. Jack Hughes, who scored the men’s gold medal-winning goal, and his brother Quinn, addressed the situation in an interview on “Good Morning America.” Jack Hughes emphasized the strong bond between the two teams. “Our relationship with them, over the course of being in the Olympic Village, I think we are so tight with their group,” Hughes said. He clarified that the men’s team’s reaction in the moment did not reflect their genuine respect and support for the women’s squad. “People are so negative about things. I think everyone in that locker room knows how much we support them, how proud we are of them.”
Goaltender Jeremy Swayman, upon returning to practice with the Boston Bruins, acknowledged the men’s team’s misstep. He told reporters that they “should have reacted differently” to President Trump’s remarks. Swayman added, “To share that gold medal with them is something that we’re forever grateful for.” Knight echoed the sentiment of mutual respect between the teams, suggesting that the men “were in a tough spot” and that the controversy was “overshadowing that connection and genuine interest in one another and cheering each other on.”
Women’s Team Declines State of the Union Invitation
While the men’s team did attend the State of the Union address, the U.S. women’s team declined a similar invitation. In a statement released Monday, the team cited “logistics and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games” as reasons for their inability to participate. The statement emphasized their gratitude for the recognition: “We are sincerely grateful for the invitation extended to our gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Hockey Team and deeply appreciate the recognition of their extraordinary achievement. They were honored to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgment.” The team did not explicitly link their decision to President Trump’s earlier comments.
Reflecting on the broader implications of the incident, Knight underscored its significance as a “really good learning point, to really focus on how we talk about women, not only in sport but in industry. Women aren’t less than, and their achievements shouldn’t be overshadowed by anything else other than how great they are,” she told “SportsCenter.”
The controversy surrounding President Trump’s remarks about the U.S. women’s hockey team underscores the persistent challenges of navigating political discourse in the realm of athletic achievement. While the incident quickly drew criticism for its perceived disrespect, it also served to amplify calls for greater recognition and equitable treatment of women in sports, reinforcing the idea that their accomplishments deserve to stand on their own merit, free from tangential political jokes.